LYNN — The Disability Commission introduced a new snow removal initiative held in conjunction with Zosia VanMeter, the director of the Inspectional Division for the City, on Tuesday.
Commission Chair Richelle Waterman-Williams said the Commission had a “call for support” from VanMeter, who is “trying to explore a proactive, city-wide snow removal program,” aimed at offering assistance to residents who are unable to shovel their homes.
She said the target constituents for this service would be the elderly or individuals with disabilities.
Waterman-Williams said VanMeter asked if the Commission held a list of individuals who may need this service, and if there were locations within the city that could be identified by the Commission as “problem areas.”
VanMeter is still in the process of gathering information about how to execute the snow removal initiative, according to Waterman-Williams.
She added that this topic is “definitely something worthy of our attention, and there are people in need.”
Vice Chair Tracie Lindsey asked if the initiative establishes a group of volunteers or paid employees, and if individuals who need assistance will sign up for the removal service.
Waterman-Williams said VanMeter’s team will work with the City’s Department of Public Works in the future and is seeking any information the Commission currently has pertaining to areas within the city and individuals who may require snow removal.
She said VanMeter is also seeking any partnerships and snow removal services currently in place within Lynn.
During the meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to approve an allocation of $980 to fund 14 new door signs within City Hall.
Commission member Christopher Gaeta said each sign costs $70. The signs will be located outside of new rooms in City Hall and will replace signs previously ordered that contained errors.
Each sign identifies the room in raised letters written in English, Spanish, and Braille; the signs are manufactured by Accurate Graphics at 26 Alley St., Gaeta said.
Funds to pay for the signs will be used from the Commission’s remaining grant funds.
